Clamping device



J 19394 H. w. BATCHELLER 2,144,140

CLAMPING DEVICE Filed Jan. 24, 1958 Patented in... 17,1939

' in-1m orrics 3 Claims. I (oi. 24-348) This invention relates to a clamping device especially designed and adapted for mounting an electric switch or the like on the dashboardfof' an automobile. It is an object of the invention- .to provide a clamping device which isypositivein' action, which is easily attached to a dashboard,

and which is rugged in structure.

It has heretofore been customary in mounting electric switches and the like on an automobile dashboard either to cut a hole in the dashboard" to receive the neck or shank of a switch or to clamp the switch to a dashboard.-. The clamps heretofore employed for this purpose have been generally unsatisfactory owing to thedifficulty insetting up the clamp when in place and also owing to the tendency on the part of the clamps tobecome loose. These difiiculties are successfully overcome in the present invention by the provision of a clamping device which is rigid and rugged in structure and which is adapted to be set up by manipulation of a screw or the like projecting down from the device instead of projecting rearwardly therefrom.

In describing embodiments of the invention, the terms front or forward" as applied to the clamping device are intended to refer to the end of the device nearest to the operator.

For a more complete understanding of the invention, reference may be had to the following description thereof and to the drawing of which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevation of the same, portions being broken away to show in section.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a modified form of the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of another modifled form of the invention.

Referring to Figure 1, clamping device shown therein comprises a pair of jaws, namely, a lower jaw Ill and an upper jaw l2. These jaws are preferably but not necessarily made of sheet metal and are formed with side flanges l4 and IS on the respective jaws. The flanges are pivotally connected as by a transverse pin 20 so that the jaws are relatively rockable about a transverse axis between the ends thereof. The flanges l4 of the lower jaw are serrated as at 22 along the forward portions of their upper edges. An element 24 projects downwardly from the forward end of the lower jaw Hi, this element having an aperture 26 adapted to receive the neck or shank of an electric switch 28 indicated in Figure 2.

As shown, the element 24 may be'integral with the lower jaw Ill, being an extension of the central portion of this jaw.

The upper jaw l2, in addition to its side flanges i6, is provided with a transverse end flange 30 at its forward end, this end flange projecting down towardthe lower jaw l0 and having a serrated lower'fedge 32 adapted to engage serrated edge portionfsf z z of the lower jaw, the serrated edge .32 being preferably long enough to extend slightly beyond the side flanges I4 of the lower jaw. As

indicated in Figure 2, the serrated edges 22 and 32 are designed to grip between them a horizontal flange 36 of a dashboard 38, the rear portion of the clamping device extending toward the forward end of the automobile. The clamping 1!! device is thus located under the cowl and is mostly out of sight.

In order to move the forward end portions of the jaws toward each other into gripping engagement with an object between them, such as the flange 36, operating means is provided as shown. This means comprises a screw 40 threaded through the rear end portion of the lower jaw l0 and engaging the rear portion of the upper jaw l2. the rear portion of the lower jaw to receive the screw 40, it is preferable to punch the metal in such a manner that a portion bends up to form a circular flange around the hole as at 42. This gives a greater length of screw threaded surface than the mere thickness of the metal. The upper jaw may be dented as at 44 to receive the upper end of the screw 40 so as to maintain the screw in alinement with the hole 4| through the lower jaw. The screw 40 may be provided with a finger-piece 46 at its lower end which is easily accessible for setting up the screw. Rotation of the screw in the proper direction forces the forward end portions of the jaws toward each other so that the flange 36 of the dashboard is 40 tightly clamped between serrated edges of the jaws.

Figure 3 shows a modified form of clamp consisting of a strip of spring metal bent at 50 to form upper and lower jaws 52 and 54 which are 45 of the lower jaw. An element 68 projects down 55 In punching a hole 4| through 35 The side flanges of the lower from the front end of the lower jaw to receive and support a switch or other article.

Figure 4 shows another modifled form 01' clamping device consisting of a strip of metal bent as at ll to form a pair of jaws 12 and I4. 'Ihese jaws may be substantially similar in structure to the jaws I! and 84 respectively, except that instead or the apertures II and I an elongated slot I is provided which extends from the mid-portion oi the jaw around the bend ll to the mid-portion oi the lower jaw ll. Thus the bolt II with a wing nut 82 on the lower end thereof mu be inserted in the. slot at the rear end of the clamp and may be brought forward until the bolt engages the iorward ends or the slot in Y the jaws l2 and I4. The nut 82 may then be set up from below to draw the jaws together in clamping engagement with the dashboard flange I. or other object between them.

It is evident that various modifications and changes may be made in the embodiments oi the invention herein shown and described without departing from the spirit or scope thereof as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

l. A clamping device for attaching electric switches and the like to automobile dashboards, comprising a pair of jaw members connected together for movement toward and away from each other, one of said members having gripping means consisting of a pair of serrated longitudinal side flanges projecting toward the other member. said other member having gripping means consisting of a serrated transverse end flange extending across and beyond both of .said side flanges and arranged to engage said side flanges at points spaced from their outer ends, and means for forcing said transverse flange against said side flanges.

2 A clamping device comprising upper and lower jaw memberaeach'said member havin side flanges extending substantially from end to end thereoir pivot means connecting the side flanges of one member to the side flanges or the other at intermediate points thereof, serrated edge portions on the side'flanges or the lower member, a serrated transverse end flange on the upper jaw projecting below the side flanges there-- of for gripping engagement with the side flanges of the lower jaw, said transverse flange extending across and beyond the serrated portions otthe side flanges or the lower jaw at points'spaced from the outer ends thereof, and means for forcing said transverse flange'against the sidevflanges of the lower jaw.

3. A clamping device for attaching electric switches or the like to automobile dashboards, comprising a lower jaw member and an upper jaw member connected together for movement toward and away i om each other, said lower jaw member having sid flanges bent up and serrated for gripping and an end portion bent down to serve as a support for a switch, said upper jaw member having an end portion bent. down to form a transverse flange projecting below the I rest of said upper jaw member for gripping engagement with said side members, said transverse flange being formed with a serrated edge extending across and beyond said side flanges and engaging said flanges at points spaced from their ends, and means for forcing said transverse flange against said side flanges.

HUGH w. BATCHELLER. 

